Open Streets to Kick Off 4th Year Sunday in Hyannis

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HYANNIS – Main Street in Hyannis will be a community playground Sunday as Open Streets kicks off its fourth year.

The road will be closed between Ocean and Sea Streets from noon to 5 p.m. and will feature a collection of bands, games, dancing and a Kids Zone with inflatables, an obstacle course and other activities.

The local event is one of a hundred similar Open Streets to transform busy towns across America. The purpose is not only to spur local business and keep money in the community, but also to foster increased usage of self-powered transportation.

The Hyannis Main Street Business Improvement District and Greater Hyannis Chamber of Commerce first partnered to bring the program to Hyannis in 2016, hosting a handful of events across the shoulder seasons.

“It’s open to people who want to bike, rollerblade, skate and take their wheelchairs down the street,” said Deb Krau, the president of the Greater Hyannis Chamber of Commerce.

“It’s a wonderful community event.”

The event coincides with Massachusetts Artweek and will feature painters capturing the scene en plein air, along with an art scavenger hunt.

“The students at Barnstable High School have created some artwork and it’s going to be in the stores along Main Street and the kids can do a scavenger hunt for a prize,” Krau said.

Krau said the event is popular because it meets a great need in the community.

“It has something for the whole family,” Krau said.

Three more Open Streets are planned for May 19, September 22 and October 27.

Krau said the Civic Association is also working on other efforts outside of Main Street.

“We are actively working on closing the Barnstable County Fire Training Academy and moving it,” she said. “It’s no longer appropriate as it pollutes our drinking water.”

The Hyannis water system has been impacted by highly fluorinated contaminants, of PFASs, mostly from the use of firefighting foams at the Barnstable Fire Training Academy and Barnstable Municipal Airport.

The association is also working with members on the rebirth of Sea Street.

“We are going to be moving on to Ocean Street to try and do that also,” Krau said.